The Ultra-Strong Midsummer Tie

Gaijin Ganja Hemp Tie

It wasn't too long ago that ties were an oft-neglected afterthought in the American sartorial psyche, but no more: Options for quality handmade neckwear abound, especially from online specialty shops. But there's quality, and then there's quality, and Montreal-based Dolbeau is the latter. The small team, headed by David Gross and David Caplan, obsesses over the source of every material that goes into its handmade ties – including the German-made, eco-friendly Gütermann thread,which Gross has called "the best thread in the world" – and makes each limited-edition piece upon order.

Our favorite for the mid-to-late summer months is the Gaijin Ganja Hemp tie, which comes in a flat-bottomed style that has been a preppy staple for generations, but has also been reinvigorated for the modern guy by hip new labels like The Hill-Side. And while most warm-weather flat-bottomed ties are known for their purposefully loose drape (and are often made of silk), Dolbeau's ultra-strong and renewable hemp material is from Japan – hence the cutesy "alien" moniker – and comes in a much tighter weave, meaning this wrinkle-free neckwear is office-appropriate on days other than casual Fridays, and can easily be worn year-round. The dusty palette, ranging from orange and yellow through green, blue, navy and pink, is best for warmer months, however – and best of all, the entire range runs for a stunningly inexpensive $49 a pop. [$49; dolbeau.com]